Adjustable golf club head



NOV. 7, 19 39. I DuNc AN JR I 2,179.034

ADJUSTABLE GOLF CLUB HEAD Filed May 2, 1959 2 sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 7,1939. 'r. P. DUNCAN. JR

I ADJUSTABLE GOLF CLUB HEAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2, 19 59 grwmtcvoT120 unoan, J2:

Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNETED STATES earsar eer e 20 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in golf clubs andpertains particularly to an improved adjustable club head and thepresent application constitutes a continuation in part of my applicationSerial No. 203,958, filed April 23, 1938, which was allowed January 201939.

The present invention has for its primary object to provide an improvedadjustable head for an iron golf club wherein adjustments may be made togive to the face of the head lofts ranging from that of a putter throughthe series to a number ten club or niblick.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved iron clubwherein the head may be easily adjusted to obtain any one of tendifferent clubs and the construction of the adjusting means is such thata firm union will be established between the head and the shaft of theclub in whatever position the head may be placed so that all danger ofbreakage when the club is used will be avoided.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved irongolf club head which may be adjusted to give clubs of various types, inwhich such an adjustment may be made without requiring the manipulationof screws, nuts, or other elements but the head may be shifted in onedirection relative to the club shaft and then moved to the desiredposition for the type of club wanted and finally shifted back to itsoriginal position where it will be firmly maintained.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedadjustable head golf club which is so designed that all possibility ofthe head shifting in any manner at the time of striking a ball iseliminated and in which the construction is such that the device isentirely fool-proof and, therefore, even though the adjusting mechanismis carelessly handled there is no possibility of the head coming loosefrom the shaft.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedadjustable head golf club in which novel means is provided forpreventing sand or dirt from getting into the workingparts and thusinterfering with the easy adjustment of the same.

Ihe invention will be best understood from a' consideration of thefollowing detailed descrip fion taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming part of this specification with theunderstanding, however, that the invention is not to be confined to anystrict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed ormodified so long as such changes or modificationsmark no materialdeparture from the salient features of the invention as expressed in theappended claims.

In the drawings- 5 Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the club embodyingthe present invention, looking at the face of the club head.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the club head on the line 2-2of Figure 1. 10

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of 15 Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a View looking at the heel end of the club head per se.

Figure 8 is a View in rear elevation of a modified form of the structureshown in Figure ,1, parts being broken away to illustrate theadjustingmechanism.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 25 99 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view'taken transversely of the head lookingtoward the shaft.

Figure 11 is a sectional view on the line i l--l I Of Figure 10. 30

Figure 12 is a sectional View on the line l2-I2 of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary View of the rear side of the head showing thelatching parts partly in elevation and partly broken away. 35

Figure 14 is a detail of a portion of the head supporting stem.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and particularly toFigures 1 to 7 inclusive, the numeral I generally designates the shaftof the golf club embodying the presentinvention, the lower portion ofthe shaft being secured in the usual metal sleeve 2. At the lower end ofthe sleeve 2 is the angularly directed stem 3, the angular relation of45 which with respect to the shaft and the sleeve is such as to supportthe club head 4 at the proper angle with respect to the shaft to suitthe build of the player who is to use the club. It will, therefore, beunderstood that the angular disposition of the head 4 with respect tothe shaft is not fixed in the position in which it is shown in Figure 1,but may be varied according to the requirements of the player.

The head 4 of the club has the usual scored face 5 while the rear of thebody is slightly enlarged longitudinally and adjacent the sole 6, asindicated at I, and through this enlarged portion a bore or passage 8 isformed to receive the stem 3. Intermediate its ends the passage 8 hasthe constriction 9. The stem 3 has its outer half of reduced diameter asindicated at l so that there is thus formed a shoulder ll between thereduced portion l0 and the inner or larger portion l2, and when the stemis in position in the bore 8, the reduced portion Ill will pass throughthe constriction 9 as shown in Figure 2 so that the shoulder II will bebrought into close proximity thereto when the stem is in the positionillustrated.

The outer or free end of the stem 3 is threaded as indicated at l3 toreceive the nut H! which is of cylindrical form and of a diameter tosnugly fit. in the outer end of the bore 8 to be completely housedtherein as shown, and there is interposed between this nut and theconstriction 9, the expansion spring l5 which surrounds the reducedportion Ill and bears at one end against the nut l4 and at the other endagainst the constriction so that it will constantly operate to draw theinner or heel end of the club head and the lower end of the sleeve 2together.

At the top of the club head and at the heel end thereof, there is formeda shoulder 16 with which there is integrally formed a wing plate I!which extends longitudinally of the club head and toward the sleeve 2and is offset from the back of the head, being disposed in a planeoblique to the face 5. This wing plate I! is adapted to engage in aframe l8 which is formed integral with the sleeve 2 and extendsrearwardly therefrom with respect to the face 5 of the club head. Thisframe is substantially arcuate in form having the inner and outerportions I9 and 20 respectively, and the connecting side walls 2| whichare in convergent relation toward the stem 3, thus forming the opening22 having the concentrically related inner and outer edges which are inturn, concentric With the pin 3 on which the head 4 turns or oscillates.

The inner edges of the portions l9 and 20 of the wing plate receivingframe have the opposed flanges 23 and, as shown in Figure 3, the wingplate I! is of a height equal to the distance between these fianges sothat the plate will swing snugly in the frame when the club head isoscillated on the pin 3.

The back of the frame I8 is closed by the removable plate 24 and thisplate retains in position within the frame a series of metal wedgeplates 25 and a rubber wedge 26. Each of the wedge plates 25 and thewedge 26 is tapered slightly in thickness toward the stem 3 as shown inFigure 3 and the rubber wedge 26 constantly maintains a position in theframe opening nearest to the sleeve 2. Each of these wedge plates 25 aswell as the rubber wedge 26 has the shoulder 27 at the corners adjacentthe frame flanges 23, as shown in Figure 6, so that the wedge plateswill be maintained by the flanges 23 from escape from the frame l8.

In practice, there will be nine of the metal wedge plates 25 in theframe [8 and the thickness of these wedge plates is such that with therubber wedge 26, a sufficient space can be made in the frame to receivethe wing plate I! in any desired position between the rubber wedge 26and the side 2! of the frame remote from the sleeve 2, and when the wingplate is in any one of the ten positions in which it may be placed inthe frame between the shiftable plates therein, the head 4 will bedisposed with the face at a loft angle representing one of ten ironclubs starting first with the putter, when the wing plate i7 is betweenthe rubber wedge 26 and the metal plate nearest thereto, and ending withthe niblick, when the plate is in number position. While the metal wedgeplates 25 are shiftable in the frame, the rubber wedge 26 always staysat the side of the frame nearest the sleeve 2, and this wedge serves tomaintain a tight engagement of th club head wing plate ll between theother plates.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that with the mountingdescribed for the club head 3 upon the stem 3, the adjustment of theclub head to any one of the different positions desired is made bypulling the club head longitudinally on the stem 3 away from the sleeve2 so as to compress the spring i5 and remove the wing plate H from theframe l8 so that the club head and the wing plate may be oscillated tothe position desired for the type of iron club wanted for play. Whilethe club head may be forced back on the stem 3 to effect engagement ofthe wingplate I! in the frame in the position selected, it will beapparent that the tensioned spring i5 will also tend to pull the headback into working position.

In order that the insertion of the wing plate I! between any two of theplates in the frame may be easily effected, the rear edges of the wingplate H are beveled off, as indicated at 28 in Figure 4, and the outeror exposed edges of the metal plates are similarly beveled as indicatedat 29. This beveling of the wing plate and the metal plates facilitatesthe insertion of the wing plate as will be readily apparent from theshowing of Figure 4.

In Figures 8 to 14 a modified form of the invention as illustrated inFigures 1 to 7 is shown, this modification relating particularly to themethod of holding the club head against longi tudinal movement withrespect to the shaft, although a slight modification has been made alsoin the form of the wedge plates.

In this modified structure the shaft is indicated generally by thenumeral 33 while the frame at the lower end of the shaft is designatedby the numeral 3i and this frame, like the frame I8, is of arcuate formfrom the radial center of which extends the head supporting stem 32. Theclub head is indicated generally by the numeral 33 and is provided withthe longitudinally extending integral sleeve 34 through which the stem32 extends. At the inner or heel end of the head 33 the wing 35 isformed for extension into the frame 3| between the shiftable orseparable wedge plates 36 which are of the same form generally as theplates 25 except that these plates 36 are provided with apertures 31 andon each face is a groove 38 which connects the apertures. The use orpurpose of these apertures 3'! and grooves 38 will be hereinafterdescribed. The frame 3| also has therein the rubber Wedge plate 33 whichfunctions in the same manner as the rubber wedge 23. In this modifiedconstruction provision is made, as shown in Figure 10, for setting thehead 33 in position for use as a putter, a driving iron or any one ofthe other eight iron clubs which go to make up a set of irons.

The front edges of the metal wedge plates 36 are flat so that they willpresent a solid flat face, as shown in Figure 11, and no sand or otherdirt can work in between the plates while the club head is in a fixedposition. If, however, during Figure 13.

the altering of the position of the head any sand should be forced inbetween the plates by the wing 35, it will be trapped in the apertures31 or in the grooves 38 from which it will ,pass to the apertures andwill thus be prevented from interfering with the insertion of the clubhead wing between a pair of plates.

t the outer end or toe endof the head, the sleeve is formed to receive anut All which is provided with an encircling channel in which is secureda rubber body 4!. This rubber body has contact with the wall of thesleeve 34 and prevents dirt working into the sleeve past the nut; At theouter end of the stem 32, a short portion thereof is reduced, asindicated at 2, and this reduced terminal portion of the stem isthreaded for engagement in the threaded passage 43 which is formed inthe inner end of the nut 40. At the inner end of the reduced portion ofthe stem, the shoulder which is formed where the reduced portion mergeswith the main portion of the stem, is provided with a dovetail notch orrecess 5G which is in line with and of the same width as the lower partof the interior area of the frame Si in which the wedge plates 36 arehoused.

The back cf-the club head 33 at the outer or toe end is formed toprovide the tubular boss 45 which, at its inner end, opens into thesleeve 34. The outer end of this boss is closed by the threaded nut it,the inner end of which nut has a socket therein. The rear side of thetubular boss 35 is provided with an angled opening which leads into theinterior of theboss and has a longitudinally extending portion 28 and alateraiiy extending portion 59, the lateral portion being above thelongitudinal portion, as shown in Into this angled slot there extends apin W having upon its outer end the button 5|.

Slidably disposed within the boss 45 is the latching pin 52 which hasthe inner end of the pin 56?; coupled therewith, as shown in Figure 9,and interposed between the upper end of the latching pin 52 and thesocket Ill in the nut 46 is an expansion spring 53 which normally holdsthe lower end of the pin 52 firmly in contact with the reduced endportion d2 of the stem on which the head is supported. This lower end ofthe latching pin :32 is suitably transversely channelled, as indicatedat 3: 1, to fit or rest firmly on the portion :32 of the stem and theside of the latching pin nearest the nut 40 is formed to provide afiattened face which engages against the end of the nut, thus providinga relatively wide bearing or contact surface. V

interposed between the button 5i and the outer side of the boss 35 is acover plate 56 for; the angied slot through which the pin iii! extends.This cover plate moves with the pin 50 and is of proper size and shapeto keep the arms of the angled slot covered at all times so that dustand dirt cannot'get into the interior of the tubular boss.

.Upon the side of the boss 55 nearest the shaft, there is threadablysecured in the wall of the sleeve 3 a stop pin 5?, the inner end ofwhich normally engages in the dovetail notch 44 formed in the stem 32. I

In the adjustment of the head 33 on the stem 32 the golfer first shiftsthe pin 5E5 transversely of the head from the portion' lfi of the slotin which it is located, away from the reduced portion 32 of the stem andwhen the latching pin 5;? has been siuhciently shifted, the actuatingpin 553 can then be oscillated across the boss l5 into the arm portion49 of the slot. This will hold thelatching pin raised from the reducedpart d2 of the head supporting stem. The head may then be shiftedlongitudinally of and on the stem 32 so as to withdraw the wing 35 frombetween the spacer plates and the head may then be oscillated on thestem until it is in the desired position for a particular form or styleof club.

For example,if the head is rocked in a clockwise direction so as toswing the Wing v35 toward the rubberwedge 39 it may be inserted betweenthis wedge and the face plate 36 to be used as a putter. The stop pin 57limits the longitudinal movement of the head on the stem, striking theinner end of thenut 40 as the head is pulled out and as the head isreturned or shifted toward the shaft, it enters the dovetail slot 44,thus limiting its inward movement. After the head has been oscillated tothe desired adjusted position,'the latching pin 52 should then bereturned toits position on the portion 42 of the stem by reverselymoving the actuating pin 58. However, if the golfer should forget toreset the latching pin 52 where it will engage the inner end of the nutlii, no material harm will result,

. for even though the head of the club-inay shift longitudinally on thestem 32 and thus come out of its set position, it cannot fly off as thestop pin Bl will prevent this.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent to those who are familiarwith the art that With a club constructed in accordance with theinvenwvhich would interfere with the golfers swing or with the drivingof a ball and there will be no danger of the head coming off.

I claim: i

1. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, pivotal means between the shaft andhead permitting disposition of the head in a selected position relativeto the shaft, said head being shiftable in the direction of its lengthaway from the shaft, and coope ratii ig between the head and the shaftfacilitating securing the head in a selected adjusted p'csition andcomprising a frame carried by the shaft, a plate member carried by thehead and extensible into and out of the frame, the plate being movablefrom one side of the frame to the other when the head is oscillatedon'said pivotal means, and means which are movable in the frame forengaging the plate member to maintain the. same in an adjusted positionin the frame.

'2; In a golf club,- a shaft, ahead, a stem carried by the shaft andhaving the head oscillatably and slidably mountedpthereon facilitatingdisposition of the With the playing face at a selected loft angle,resilient means normally urging the movement of the head longitudinallyon the stem toward the shaft, a member integral member in a selectedposition in'the receiving means.

'3. A golf club comprising a shaft, a head, a stem integral withtheshaft and extending longitudinally through the head, the head beingoscillatable and longitudinally movable on the stem, resilient meansnormally urging the movement of the head on the stem toward the shaft,an arcuate frame carried by the shaft, a flat plate integral with thehead and adapted to position in the frame and extend from the top to thebottom thereof, and a plurality of movable spacing units in the framebetween opposite sides thereof and adapted to have the wing plateselectively inserted therebetween to maintain the head face at a desiredloft angle.

4. A golf club comprising a shaft, a head, a integral with the shaft,said head having a longitudinal bore in which said stem positionsfacilitating oscillation of the head relative to the shaft, spring meanswithin the bore normally urging movement of the head on the stem towardthe shaft, means integral with the shaft forming a frame extendingrearwardly with respect to the face of the club head, a plurality ofplate members disposed in said frame and tapered to radfate from saidstem, said plate members being shiftable in an arcuate path concentricwith the stem, and a wing plate integral with the club head andextending longitudinally from the inner end and adapted for insertioninto said frame between selected ones of said plates.

5. A golf club comprising a shaft, a head pivotally coupled with theshaft to oscillate on an axis extending longitudinally of the head, aplurality of elements maintained in a group adjacent the lower end ofthe shaft for relative movement along an arcuate path within a limitedarea concentric with said axis, means constructed and arranged tosupport said elements for movement in said path, and means carried bysaid head and movable therewith upon oscillation of the head which isadapted for selective engagement between said elements.

6. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, means pivotally coupling the head tothe shaft for oscillation of the head on an axis extendinglongitudinally of the same, a rigid element forming a part of the headat the end adjacent the shaft, a plurality of movable spacer elementsarranged in side by side relation in an arcuate row concentric with saidaxis, means for supporting said elements in said relation, said rigidelement being insertible in said row between selected ones of theelements, the head being shiftable longitudinally in one direction forremoving the rigid element from between the spacer elements, and meansnormally urging the head to move in the opposite direction.

7. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, means pivotally coupling the head tothe shaft for oscillation of the head on an axis extendinglongitudinally thereof, a plurality of shiftable elements occupying aside by side relation at the head end of the shaft and having a limitedrange of movement whereby a space may be formed in a number of selectedlocations, means for supporting said elements in the said relation, andmeans carried by the head for engagement in the formed space throughoscillation of the head to a selected playing position.

8. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, means coupling the head to the shaftto facilitate oscillation of the head on its long axis, a frame formingbody carried by the shaft at the head end thereof, a member carried bythe head for insertion into the frame in different locations thereindetermined by the degree of oscillation of the head, and a plurality ofshiftable spacer members in the frame formed to cooperate with said headcarried member to fill the frame and maintain the head firmly in adesired position.

9. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, means coupling the head to the shaftto facilitate oscillation of the head on its long axis, a frame formingbody carried by the shaft at the head end thereof, a member carried bythe head for insertion into the frame in different locations thereindetermined by the degree of oscillation of the head, a plurality ofshiftable spacer members in the frame formed to cooperate with said headcarried member to fill the frame and maintain the head firmly in adesired position, and means coasting with said spacer members forabsorbing shock incident to the use of the club.

10. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, means coupling the head to theshaft to facilitate oscillation of the head on its long axis, aframeforming body carried by the shaft at the head end thereof, a membercarried by the head for insertion into the frame in different locationstherein determined by the degree of oscillation of the head, and aplurality of shiftable spacer members in the frame formed to cooperatewith said head carried member to fill the frame and maintain the headfirmly in a desired position, one of said spacer members being formed ofresilient material.

11. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, pivot means between the head andshaft permitting oscillation of the head on its long axis, resilientcoupling means between the head and pivot constantly urging the headtoward the shaft, means integral with the shaft forming an enclosed areaat the rear of the head, a member extending rigidly from the end of thehead adjacent the shaft and extensible into said area, and a pluralityof individually movable units in said area adapted to assume differentpositions therein with respect to said member for holding the memberagainst movement in the said area and to secure the head againstoscillation.

12. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, pivotal means between the head andshaft facilitating oscillation of the head on its long axis, a memberextending rigidly from said head at the end thereof adjacent the shaft,a plurality of shiftable elements disposed in side by side relation atthe head end of the shaft and having a limited range of movement wherebyan area may be formed in a number of selected locations into which saidrigid member may be extended, means for supporting said elements in saidrelation, and one of said elements being of resilient material.

13. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, pivot means between the shaft andthe head permitting oscillation of the head on its long axis, meansintegral with the shaft forming an enclosed area at the heel of thehead, a member extending rigidly from the heel end of the head into saidenclosed area, a plurality of individually movable units in said areaadapted to assume different positions therein with respect to saidmember for holding the member against movement in said area and tosecure the head against oscillation, and means normally holding saidhead with the member in said enclosed area, said means being soconstructed and arranged as to permit longitudinal shifting of the headfor selective adjust- 75 able engagement of the member in the enclosedarea between said units.

14. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, a stem eX- tending laterally fromthe shaft and formed rigid therewith, said head being supported uponsaid stem for oscillation on its long axis, means integral with theshaft forming an enclosed area at the heel of the head, a memberextending rigidly from the heel of the head into said area, a pluralityof individually movable units confined in said area and adapted to beshifted therein with respect to the member for holding the memberagainst movement in the said area and tosecure the head againstoscillation on the stem, said stem having a terminal portion of reduceddiameter, and means associated with said terminal portion which is soconstructed and arranged that said head will be releasably held with themember engaged in said area.

15. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, a stem extending laterally from theshaft and formed rigid therewith, said head being supported upon saidstem for oscillation on its long axis, means integral with the shaftforming an enclosed area at the heel of the head, a member extendingrigidly from the heel of the head into said area, a plurality ofindividually movable units confined in said area and adapted to beshifted therein with respect to the member for holding the memberagainst movement in the said area and to secure the head againstoscillation on the stem, said stem having a terminal portion of reduceddiameter forming a shoulder, a nut threaded onto the end of saidterminal portion and lying within the body of the head and spaced fromthe shoulder, and a latching member carried by the head and movabletransversely thereof for engaging in the space between said terminalportion shoulder and the inner end of said nut to hold the head againstlongitudinal movement.

16. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, a stem extending laterally from theshaft and formed rigid therewith, said head being supported upon saidstem for oscillation on its long axis, means integral with the shaftforming an enclosed area at the heel of the head, a member extendingrigidly from the heel of the head into said area, a plurality ofindividually movable units confined in said area and adapted to beshifted therein with respect to the member for holding the memberagainst movement in the said area and to secure the head againstoscillation on the stem, said stem having a terminal portion of reduceddiameter, latch means carried by the head and shiftable relative to thesaid terminal portion of the stem, means for shifting the latch means,and means for effecting a coupling connection between the latch meansand the stem preventing longitudinal movement of the head on the stem.

17. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, a stem extending laterally from theshaft and formed rigid therewith, said head being supported upon saidstem for oscillation on its long axis, means integral with the shaftforming an enclosed area at the heel of the head, a member extendingrigidly from the heel of the head into said area, a plurality ofindividually movable units confined in said area and adapted to beshifted therein with respect to the member for holding the memberagainst movement in the said area and to secure the head againstoscillation on the stem, said stem having a terminal portion of reduceddiameter, latch means carried by the head and shiftable relative to thesaid terminal portion of the stem, means for shifting the latch means,

means for effecting a coupling connection between the latch means andthe stem to hold said head against longitudinal movement, and fixedmeans carried by the head and having a cooperative relation with thestem for limiting the longitudinal movement of the head on the stem.

18. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, a stem extending rigidly from andcarried by the shaft, said head having a longitudinally extending sleevefor the reception of the stem, the stem having a terminal portion ofreduced diameter, a nut threaded onto said terminal portion and disposedwithin the sleeve, the nut having the same diameter as the unreducedportion of the stem and being spaced from said unreduced portion, amember extending rigidly from said head at the heel end thereof, aplurality of shiftable elements disposed in side by side relation at theend of the shaft adjacent the heel of the head and having a limitedrange of movement whereby an area may be formed in a number of selectedlocations into which said rigid member may be extended, means forsupporting said elements in said relation, a spring pressed latchcarried by the head and movable transversely thereof for engagement inthe space between the nut and the adjacent unreduced end of the stem,and a fixed stop member carried by the head and engageable in said spacefor limiting the longitudinal movement of the head on the stem. I

19. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, a stem rigid with and extendinglaterally from the shaft, said head being supported on the stem: foroscillation on its long axis, the stem having a portion of reducedvdiameter adjacent the end remote from the shaft, means at the heel endof the head facilitating connection of the head with the shaft in anumber of different positions to which the head may be oscillated on thestem, said head having a passage formed transversely therein anddirected toward the said reduced portion of the stem, a shiftable latchin said passage adapted for detachable engagement in said stem portion,and a fixed pin member carried by the head and engaging in said stemportion at the side thereof nearest the shaft, said pin acting to limitlengthwise movement of the head on the stem.

20. In a golf club, a shaft, a head, a head supporting stem rigid withthe shaft, means for selectively coupling the head with the shaft in anumber of play positions through the oscillation and longitudinalmovement of the head on the stem,

a latch carried by the head for rectilinear and.

rotary movement relative to the stem, means for coupling the latch withthe stem when the latch is moved toward the stem, means for securing thelatch when moved away from the stem and rotated, the latching means whensecured permitting the head to be shifted away from the

